I know this has probably been asked 1000s of times but I could use some help is selecting a plan for what will be my 1st IM distance next year @ Challenge AC. Some background...

- MOP/BOP guy
- Don't have the money needed for a coach.
- Completed 1 HIM, 1 Marathon, and bunch of other tris and road races
- Somewhat time constrained...I have 3 kids under the age of 5 and a job id like to keep so I can reasonable expect to put in a max of 10-12 hours most weeks.
- My wife is fully supportive.
- My goal is to finish while having a fun, enjoyable day.

Any suggestions on plans (from BT, books, web-based, etc) would be a great help. Thanks in advance.

I used the free plan on here for my 1st IM distance race in August, similar background - had done a few olympic, 1HIM before & one during training - see below for my feedback in the iron distace thread.

Just posting this to show how good the free plan here on BT is and to hopefully aleviate fears for anyone thinking about using it - something I couldn't find when I started thinking about using it - maybe I just didn't look hard enough!

I completed my 1st iron distance race last weekend using the free plan here on BT. A little info on me - I've no real endurance background but been doing tri's for about 4 years - a handful of sprints and olympics and 1 HIM distance before this year and 1 as part of my training. I use a older model road bike with clip on tri bars, train alone so no club or coach, have a 40hr/wk job, commute 10hrs /wk, married with a soon to be 2year old daughter.

The race was late August and I started training properly in January - well before the 20week plan as I wasn't sure I'd be able to jump straight into in. I just repeated versions of the 1st 3 weeks over to build up a good base and get me ready to start the plan in early April i think (I was also sick most of March!).

I stuck to the plan almost exactly (had to change the order of days to fit them in a bit), missed a handul (no more than 5-10) of sessions due to other factors & a couple just to get some more recovery. Nearly all the 2 a day sessions were done as back to backs, or swim in pool or lake, drive home and do the next session. I went by HR and tried to relate that directly to the RPE & it seemed to work for me. I swapped around 2 of the theme weeks (think it was wks 11&12) just to make better use of my schedule to get more swims in for that week. I did more OWS than it outlined but stuck roughly to the workout even if it was in the lake.

I had constant doubts throughout as to if I was doing enough, especially on the bike as its my weakest leg in every tri I've done!

Fast forward to race day and everything went really well for me. Swim was about bang on what I expected (1-10) without over doing it, bike went amazingly well (for me) - 6-03 (about an hour ahead of what i predicted based on training) - again never felt like I over did it and HR data confirmed this.
Run went as well as expected 4-30 - probably slower than what I'd trained at but I guess thats normal after 180km on the bike! Finished in 11-52 - way ahead of my best target and felt great throughtout (reatively speaking!)

All my logs are up to date, race report is also done, if anyone wants to look through to get an idea of how it looked in reality. I've only completed one but if anyone has any questions fell free to message me.

Originally posted by Tri Swim Coach Anything by Joe Friel is always a good resource. His Training Bible is solid gold. Ben Greenfield also has some programs

I would hesitate to recommend Friel's Triathlon Training Bible for someone who is looking for a training plan; for someone in that situation, it is very likely to just lead to frustration as the athlete attempts to distill the text into a workable plan.

I would also avoid Ben Greenfield; a very knowledgable guy but since he is willing to sell his athletes magic braclets, water and a ton of supplements, I would steer clear.

I would hesitate to recommend Friel's Triathlon Training Bible for someone who is looking for a training plan; for someone in that situation, it is very likely to just lead to frustration as the athlete attempts to distill the text into a workable plan.

I love Friel...I've heard him speak, I've used his advice, I regularly read his blog. But glad to hear I'm not the only one who has had that thought. lol He can be a bit esoteric.

I would give strong consideration to the BT plans (specifically those by Mike Ricci of D3 Multisport); very well written plans that many have used successfully.

For a book of plans, Fitzgerald's Complete Week by Week Training Guide is pretty decent with lots of options depending on your experience.

Shane

X2 on Matt Fitzgerald's book. I have used it for (3) HIM and IM Wisconsin. It has prepared me well and I love the 10 choices for each distance. It is the best $15.00 (used on Amazon) that I have spent in this sport!

Thanks Graham - We are very similar down the the old road bike with clip-ons. Your insight is much appreciated!

Originally posted by grahamclarke_6

I used the free plan on here for my 1st IM distance race in August, similar background - had done a few olympic, 1HIM before & one during training - see below for my feedback in the iron distace thread.

Just posting this to show how good the free plan here on BT is and to hopefully aleviate fears for anyone thinking about using it - something I couldn't find when I started thinking about using it - maybe I just didn't look hard enough!

I completed my 1st iron distance race last weekend using the free plan here on BT. A little info on me - I've no real endurance background but been doing tri's for about 4 years - a handful of sprints and olympics and 1 HIM distance before this year and 1 as part of my training. I use a older model road bike with clip on tri bars, train alone so no club or coach, have a 40hr/wk job, commute 10hrs /wk, married with a soon to be 2year old daughter.

The race was late August and I started training properly in January - well before the 20week plan as I wasn't sure I'd be able to jump straight into in. I just repeated versions of the 1st 3 weeks over to build up a good base and get me ready to start the plan in early April i think (I was also sick most of March!).

I stuck to the plan almost exactly (had to change the order of days to fit them in a bit), missed a handul (no more than 5-10) of sessions due to other factors & a couple just to get some more recovery. Nearly all the 2 a day sessions were done as back to backs, or swim in pool or lake, drive home and do the next session. I went by HR and tried to relate that directly to the RPE & it seemed to work for me. I swapped around 2 of the theme weeks (think it was wks 11&12) just to make better use of my schedule to get more swims in for that week. I did more OWS than it outlined but stuck roughly to the workout even if it was in the lake.

I had constant doubts throughout as to if I was doing enough, especially on the bike as its my weakest leg in every tri I've done!

Fast forward to race day and everything went really well for me. Swim was about bang on what I expected (1-10) without over doing it, bike went amazingly well (for me) - 6-03 (about an hour ahead of what i predicted based on training) - again never felt like I over did it and HR data confirmed this.
Run went as well as expected 4-30 - probably slower than what I'd trained at but I guess thats normal after 180km on the bike! Finished in 11-52 - way ahead of my best target and felt great throughtout (reatively speaking!)

All my logs are up to date, race report is also done, if anyone wants to look through to get an idea of how it looked in reality. I've only completed one but if anyone has any questions fell free to message me.